Japan Izu Green Matcha Tea

• Country of Origin: Japan / Kenya
• Region: Shizuoka / Kericho
• Shipping Port: Yokohama / Mombasa
• Grade: Fine Matcha
• Altitude: 500‟ – 1500‟ / 5500‟ – 6500‟ ft above sea level
• Manufacturer Type: Matcha
• Cup Characteristics: Has a jammy-like smoothness with a very satisfying full cup. Luxury grade Japanese green tea and Gyokuro gives a light astringent finish.
• Infusions: Thick, bright emerald green infusion
• Ingredients: 100 % pure Green tea, White tea

Looking for that new and unique tea to offer your guests? Try these high antioxidant luxury Matcha teas. Matcha can be used in lattes, food preparation and even salad dressings. Prepared traditionally or with new-age methods, matchas are sure to impress!

There is perhaps no tea on the market today that is as celebrated or as famous as Japanese Matcha. The powdered green tea has been used in the Japanese tea ceremony for centuries and as such is normally associated with the beautifully complex, and rigid procedure. It was believed by the ancient Japanese that tea was a gift of the heavens and as such held great restorative and spiritual power here on earth. In fact, an ancient Japanese poet named Sen no Rikyu, considered to be the most important influence on the development of the tea ceremony, or Chanoyu, penned this line during the 1500's, “Though many people drink tea, if you do not know the Way of Tea (Chanoyu), tea will drink you up.” The development of the Chanoyu, began as a way for human beings to appreciate and show reverence to this power.

Well, these days, although the Japanese tea ceremony still holds a significant place in Japanese culture, the rules around drinking Matcha have loosened. The ancients were right about something though, Matcha is special, and because of the way it is produced, it is also powerful. Consider these numbers: 2 cups of brewed matcha contains 7 times the antioxidants of orange juice, 20 times that of apple juice, and nearly 20 g of calcium - and that‟s just the short list! Having identified a high altitude Western Kenyan tea of 3 times the antioxidant value, we decided to incorporate an element of this into our traditional Japan Izu. The flavory Japanese character and emerald appearance is not altered, but the antioxidants are significantly boosted. On a gram per gram basis, Matcha also contains approximately 10 times the polyphenols of regular teas*. The healthy qualitites of the tea have led to the its break from tradition - Matcha can now be found served cold, as an ingredient in health shakes, ice creams, and even baked goods.

So what is it about Matcha that makes it so good for you? The answer can be found in the way it is produced and consumed. Firstly, Matcha is made using pure luxury grade Japanese green tea and Gyokuro leaves, a Japanese tea variety that is shaded beneath special shade covers for 3 weeks before plucking. The shading forces the plants to produce a higher than normal chlorophyll content which gives the leaves a rich green color. Once plucked, the leaves are steamed and dried. Tea at this stage of the process is known as Aracha. Next, the Aracha is stripped of all stems and veins resulting in a pure leaf known as Tencha. Tencha is then stone ground into its finely powdered form. Since it is powdered, no matter how you prepare Matcha, you are actually consuming the leaves - which contain high nutritional value - there is no other tea in the world consumed in this manner. It is said in Japan that because of this characteristic, Matcha is the healthiest natural beverage in the world to this day!

The Japan Izu Green Matcha that we offer you here is a fabulous example of a high quality Japanese Matcha grown in the Izu peninsula, not far from Tokyo. The tea has an emerald green color and when consumed on its own, frothed up with a whisk, has an almost jammy-smoothness belied by a somewhat sweetly astringent cup. The best thing to do with your matcha is experiment - you‟ll find some fabulous recipes below. If you come across any not listed here, let us know about them, we‟re always looking for new ways to enjoy this fantastic brew!

Matcha is pulverized tea that is so fine when you drink it, or use it in any other method ie. Baking, Desserts & even alcoholic cocktails! you consume the leaves of the tea - you get ALL of the goodness of the tea.

• Luxury tea mathca - Processed in Canada on traditional Japanese equipment.
• Vacuum packed and flavour-sealed - much fresher and safer than matcha from Japan.
• 8 year shelf life ( 3 months once opened).
• 8 Varieties available
• Manufactured in Canada